According to OWL at Purdue, "Literature reviews are designed to do two things:
Conducting and composing a thorough literature review is a process. It will require you to define and refine your topic, gather basic background information, then search for and locate published books and articles. You might end up researching not only your direct topic, but related threads of research. Once you've found sources, you will have to analyze and synthesize them into review form.
Your literature review will explore findings and trends in the research on your topic, and will also offer your commentary on any gaps, bias, and additional areas for exploration. Your thoughts on the material are essential to the review; you are not merely listing and abstracting all existing research.
Several excellent guides that provide step-by-step information are linked in the box on the right.
Galvan, J. L. (2006). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences. (3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak. Ref. H61.8 .G3 2006 Circulating copy in stacks.
Aveyard, Helen. (2014), Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: a practical guide. (3rd ed). Maidenhead, Berkshire : Open University Press, RA440.85 .A949 2014 (LN3).
Pan, M. L. (2008). Preparing literature reviews: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. (3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrcazak. Q180.55.E9 P36 2008
Rosnow, R. L. & Rosnow, M. (2009). Writing papers in psychology. (8th ed.). Australia: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. BF76.7 .R67 2009
Often researchers conducting literature reviews feel unsure that their review has been thorough enough. Here is a list of all the places you should consider checking. Not all will be relevant for your search, depending on the topic.
Basics
Journals Collections/Databases
Newspaper Collections/Databases (if relevant)
Internet
Book Catalogs
Dissertation and Thesis Collections/Databases
